Wireless Connection on Windows XP

On my Inspiron 6000, I've had two years of no problem accessing wireless networks -- on startup windows automatically searches for available wireless and cues me from the bottom toolbar.

 

For no apparent reason a few months ago this stopped happening, and when I selected “Choose a wireless network” from the control panel I got an error message:

“Windows cannot configure this wireless connection. If you have enabled another program to manage this wireless connection, use that software.  If you want Windows to configure this wireless connection, start the Wireless Zero Configuration  (WZC) service.  For information about starting the WZC service, see article 871122 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base on the Microsoft.com web site."

I dutifully consulted the 871122 article (see below), followed the instructions ... with success -- except that every time I shut down and restart the computer, the WZC disappears and I have to repeat the fix.

 

Any suggestions?  Microsoft wants me to pay $59 for the privilege of asking them this questions.

 

106david

 

article 871122 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

 

Error message when you try to run the Wireless Network Setup Wizard after you update to Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005

The Wireless Network Setup Wizard and the View Available Wireless Networks feature both rely on the Wireless Zero Configuration service to provide their functionality to Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Microsoft Windows XP Table PC Edition 2005. If the Wireless Zero Configuration service is not available, you receive an error message that directs you to this article.

This behavior occurs for several reasons. Some computer and hardware manufacturers provide their own configuration software that replaces the Wireless Zero Configuration service that is provided in Windows. In that case, you must use the software that is provided by the manufacturer to configure your wireless network. If you want to use the Wireless Network Setup Wizard or the View Available Wireless Networks feature to configure your wireless device, see the documentation that came with your computer or with your wireless network card. Use this documentation to determine whether you can use the Wireless Zero Configuration service to configure your wireless network. Sometimes, you cannot use the Windows functionality.

If your computer or your wireless network adapter did not come with its own wireless network software, follow these steps:

1.

Click Start, click Run, type ncpa.cpl, and then click OK.

2.

Click Network Connections.

3.

In Network Connections, click to select your wireless connection, and then click Change settings of this connection.

4.

On the Wireless Networks tab, click to select the Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings check box.

To start the Wireless Zero Configuration service, follow these steps:

1.

Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\system32\services.msc /s, and then click OK.

2.

Double-click Wireless Zero Configuration.

3.

In the Startup type list, click Automatic, and then click Apply.

4.

In the Service status area, click Start, and then click OK.

If you receive an error message when you try to start the service, see the "References" section for more troubleshooting information.